Driving Excitement...85 Trans Am Project. New Plan as of 5/3

[00Beast]

Could try a heat-wrap on the starter? Sounds like you're baking it....

[clm2112]

Curt would timing also have an effect on start up? So used to the FI cars I didn't even stop to think about it...lol

Not so much that it would only cause hot start problems. Too much (like 20 degrees BTDC) of course will try to spin the motor backwards on startup. But that doesn't sound like the problem.

I was just thinking out loud. What I typically think on a hard-starting motors that are warm is that an electric choke coil hasn't cooled off quickly enough, so no choke is applied even though the motor needs it. It's a problem we don't usually see here in Florida, when even a cold motor can start with no choke needed.

If it keeps burning up solenoid coils, I'm at a loss. You can roast one with headers (it's pretty tight on a 3rd gen F-Body down near the starter.) Or, it might just be a string of bad solenoids.

[SSEiMan01]

I had a heat wrap on the last one, but it didn't do anything for me. This one didnt get a chance to get baked. The second time I started it I could tell it's weak. I'm sure it's a case of too weak a starter for this motor. Should be ordering a mini-starter sometime next week or so. Not sure if I'll be getting the MSD like I want, but meh. As long as it has enough powa to do the job, and fits in the hole, I'm happy.

[SSEiMan01]

Have to do plugs on this today. I've had them for a while, I'm sure the ones in there are fouled as hell, they were put in when the build was done, and that includes cam break-in, tuning, etc.

Also, I need to find out why my speedometer went to 0 and stays there. I know it has to do something with the cable, and it's likely to be my fault, since there is a connector that hitches to it for the TCC lockup kit. One thing after another. At least speedo cables are cheap.

[SSEiMan01]

Sketchy EvilBay door mirror got here today, in tact. It's even the right color, like it matters much...

Just have to install it now.


EDIT: Just noticed my leg in the mirror...LOL

[nos4blood70]

One step closer.

[SSEiMan01]

One step closer.

One small step for Chrissy, one...well, it's not a giant leap... I got nothin.

Yes, The Demon's name is Chrissy. Short for Christine. For obvious reasons.

[SSEiMan01]

I haz question!

I am almost positive that the speedometer cable (the short one between the trans and B&M TCC Lock speed sensor) is broken, causing me to have no speedo. The factory one is not kinked or anything. Question is, the short piece is in a tight place, which is why it broke to be honest. If I were to get a 20" long cable, it would be too long, just. Would it be possible to coil it up next to the trans and remain functional? That or I need another short one, and find a way to bend it so it doesn't break. It didn't look unhappy when I put it in, but obviously it was since it broke.

EDIT: 20" is the shortest I can find, while still being longer than the 6" one B&M sent.

[00Beast]

Can't you just stuff it up in the dash somehow without it being too long?

[SSEiMan01]

Most of my issue is, after 27 years, that cable doesnt want to move much and I dont wanna break it.

[00Beast]

No, I mean a new one...

[SSEiMan01]

I could do that I suppose, just don't want to it I dont have to. lol

[SSEiMan01]

Ok, so, this is it with this starter, all of a sudden yesterday it refused to work. Today the solenoid STILL hates its life. New high torque mini starter gets ordered tomorrow, probably the MSD. I hope to never do another starter on this car. Nothing else has been done.

[SSEiMan01]

Just ordered a new MSD APS starter. Should be here in a couple days and it'll either go in Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Also looked into a shift kit for this 700R4, I want to make it last as long as I can. I'm sure it doesn't appreciate how it's been getting treated very much. Also,this car is due for a pan drop and filter soon anyway.

I was thinking the B&M 70239, anyone have any experience with this? I'll be adding an external cooler at some point.

I have yet to fix the speedometer. Who needs to know how fast you're going?

[SSEiMan01]

OMFG MSD FTMFW!!!

Video of a startup with the new MSD APS starter installed.

Starts up just like The Limo now. Never in my life did I think I would be so happy about a starter. I am a simple man I suppose. Worth the price to me!



Also I removed the PCV valve and threw it away. Put a breather in the valve cover. (Now has one in each.) Plugged the vac port on the carb and kicked up the idle a bit to compensate. WOW what a difference! I'm beginning to actually trust the dependability of this car now.

[wake]

[SSEiMan01]

Does that mean Lucas is speechless?

Wait til you hear it in person dude.

[nos4blood70]

It sounds awesome! As you said, it actually sounds like the starter belongs on the car.

[MattStrike]

[Jrs3800]

See a high torque can overcome more compression and stiffer valve springs... Turns it over like it was 100% supposed to be there...lol